Practical Mathematics
Ngoc Huynh Bich · Apr 17, 2026
The article compares studying math only to pass exams without practical application to learning God's Word without practicing it. If we only hear, know, and understand God's Word but do not act on it, our faith will weaken and die, like building a house on sand. We must practice God's Word and bear good fruit to be recognized by God as His beloved people.
# Practical Mathematics
Among the natural sciences, mathematics is a mandatory subject across all professions. From high school through technical colleges, bachelor's degrees, to university, every student must study mathematics. At higher levels, students must learn more complex mathematics, such as calculus, for example. However, nowadays in the world, the majority of students study mathematics without understanding why they are learning it, or what they will do with it after graduation; because most of them do not know how to apply mathematics to practical life. Professor Vu Ha Van, a mathematician who recently joined the Department of Mathematics at the University of Hong Kong this year, after a long period working at Yale University in the United States, while continuing to lead the Vingroup Innovation Fund (VinIF) in Vietnam, made this observation on April 13, 2026, at a seminar on teaching methods in mathematics education in the age of technology, organized by the National University of Ho Chi Minh City. He believes that it is precisely the sprawling curricula and teaching methods that have been outdated for many decades that have led to training graduates who, though achieving high marks in mathematics, cannot apply that knowledge to real life. He said, "Most students still study mathematics only to pass exams, just to get by. Even at universities in America, the vast majority of students approach mathematics with the same mindset."(1)
From a spiritual perspective, the Christian life faces a similar problem—learning God's Word but failing to apply it or practice what we have learned correctly. Have you fallen into this situation? Why do you meditate on Scripture, and how much have you actually applied? If we have faith in God, listen to sermons each week, read the Bible daily, memorize many verses, yet we still do not truly apply God's Word, what benefit does it bring to our spiritual lives and what results does it produce for God's work?
Jesus warned His disciples, saying, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash" (Matthew 7:26-27). The consequence of those who hear God's Word, learn it but do not follow it, is like someone building a house on sand; when a storm comes unexpectedly, the house will collapse and be destroyed!
Moreover, if we have knowledge and understanding of God's Word but take no concrete action—do not practice or apply it—then faith will waver, grow weak, and die on its own. "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26). "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like" (James 1:21-24). God's Word is like a mirror for us to examine ourselves and judge our own hearts. But if we only listen, only know, only understand, only accumulate knowledge without practicing it, then we will deceive ourselves, and certainly produce no results for God's House!
Even worse than that is this: God will not acknowledge us as His beloved people if we do not "bear good fruit"—good deeds. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:21-23). We must be very careful to follow God's Word correctly, and truly live our faith in Jesus Christ; our lives must bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, do good and avoid evil, so that people see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
I earnestly pray that the Holy Spirit will grant us strength and grace to learn God's Word and practice it immediately, without delay or hesitation, lest the day of the Lord come suddenly and we must repent for not living our faith and failing to please God! May our lives be the salt of the earth, the light of the world, living worthy of the name God's people, and bringing the Gospel to all nations! Amen!
Learn His Word, and live it in deed, Practice with care, never neglect, Faith bears fruit and brings forth result, Grace forever shall be passed on!
Faithful in goodness, from evil abstain, The future when our Lord comes to take us home, Rejoice and give thanks, honor the Lord, Hold fast to faith, live after the Father!
Topics